The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism issued a statement in its most recent newsletter saying “experts continue to predict little chance for the ongoing leak to present a future problem for the South Carolina coast. For their predictions to change, a significant alteration in the Gulf currents would need to occur.”

Hamilton Davis, energy and climate director for the Coastal Conservation League, said his group is encouraged that the state’s General Assembly has responded to the possible threat, but also anticipates lobbying this year to get legislation passed preventing the oil industry from operating near South Carolina – and encouraging the federal government to do the same.

So, if you’re planning a vacation to Charleston, come on down, we’d love to see you again, and of course, stop by Shem Creek for the freshest seafood in town!

From the Shem Creek blog.

Southern hospitality and oil don’t mix

Remember us talking about ‘water wars‘ popping up across the country, and indeed the world?

Well, the South Carolina House just passed a bill on Wednesday that will provide permits for withdrawing large amounts of water from our rivers and lakes – if it passes the Senate, and then the Governor signs it.

The bill would establish a permitting system for water withdrawals over three million gallons per month and lay out requirements to protect fish and wildlife and downstream users.

We can all thank Conservation Voters of South Carolina, American Rivers, the Coastal Conservation League and other partners, who worked more than four years to negotiate the provisions in the bill and help ensure it’s passage!

From the Shem Creek blog.

SC takes control of managing its long-term water needs

Interviews, photos, video: Dr. Doug Woodward, professor and researcher, University of South Carolina Moore School of Business; Natural Resources Society Board Members; South Carolina Natural Resources Director John Frampton and others. Digital images and video of South Carolinians using and enjoying the state’s natural resources will be available for attending media.

For more information, read SCDNR’s Green Report, which states that S.C. natural resources contribute $30 billion to the economy.

From the Shem Creek blog.

The Economic Impact of SC’s Natural Resources

VOR members visit the rim of Linville Gorge, N.C., 3,600 feet above their final destination, Charleston. S.C. (Credit: Brevard College)

Their bags are packed and their gear is ready for what will be an adventure of a life time for a group of Brevard College students and professors.

This Saturday, May 16, the Brevard College Voice of the Rivers (VOR) team will embark on a more than 400-mile kayak expedition that will snake from North to South Carolina and end in the Atlantic Ocean.

This year, two Brevard College faculty members and 11 students will paddle the length of the Catawba-Wateree watershed, beginning on the Catawba River near Linville Gorge, N.C and ending at the Atlantic Ocean in Charleston, S.C. The Catawba-Wateree watershed was selected for the College’s fifth VOR expedition after being recognized by American Rivers as America’s most endangered river in 2008.

Since its inaugural 1997 expedition from Brevard, N.C. to the Gulf of Mexico, the Voice of the Rivers program at Brevard College has offered students and faculty an opportunity to paddle and study a variety of ecologically and culturally significant rivers.

During their 18-day trip, the group will study about rivers and their importance to society, while camping along the riverbank and talking about their experiences with the people they meet. Plans are underway for VOR members to talk with school programs, media organizations and conservation groups in North and South Carolina as the group makes its way to the sea.

The VOR students – whose majors include art, environmental science, English, elementary education, business and organizational leadership, theatre, music and wilderness leadership and experiential education – are also required to post daily journal entries, photos and videos of their travels and experiences online using Facebook, blogs and the College Web site (www.brevard.edu/VOR).

Student expedition members include:

Members of Brevard College’s 2009 Voice of the Rivers (VOR) team practice on Lake Julian (Credit: Brevard College)

1. freshman Jordan Martin of Waxhaw, N.C.;
2. freshman Thomas Allison of Hickory, N.C.;
3. freshman Kelli Tysinger of Lewisville, N.C.;
4. sophomore Karen Love of Greenville, S.C.;
5. sophomore Jay Wolfe of Spartanburg, S.C.
6. sophomore Kim Williams of Melbourne Beach, Fla.;
7. sophomore Patrick Lawrence of Grand Rapids, Mich.;
8. junior Jennifer Gift of Durham, N.C.;
9. junior Charles Jordan of Athens, Ga.;
10. junior Jenny Baxter of Carthage, Tenn.; and
11. senior Dean Mobley of Brevard, N.C.;

Team leaders are Brevard College Assistant Professor of Wilderness Leadership and Experiential Education Robert Dye and Assistant Professor of English Kristina Holland. Brevard College junior John Palmer of Great Barrington, Mass. is handling logistics for this year’s trip.

The VOR experience – which combines academics with outdoor exploration – is designed to educate the public and raise awareness of activities that threaten rivers; bring attention to organizations and groups poised to address those threats; and foster a sense of stewardship and community activity among the students who participate.

Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina in Brevard, N.C., Brevard College offers a range of distinctive baccalaureate degree programs. The VOR program embodies the College’s commitment to a liberal arts education that is interdisciplinary and experiential. Past VOR expeditions include trips down the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi rivers; the Green River; the Rio Santa Cruz, Rio Limay and Rio Negro rivers in Patagonia, Argentina; and the Savannah River.

Tentative Schedule

May 16, Morganton, N.C.
May 17, Hickory, N.C.
May 18-19, Statesville, N.C.
May 20-21-22, around Charlotte, N.C. — hoping to be at the U.S National Whitewater Center on the 21st.
May 23, Lansford Canal State Park (S.C.)
May 24, Lake Wateree (S.C.)
May 25, Camden, S.C.
May 26-27-28, just sandbars
May 29 Santee State Park (S.C.)
May 30- 31, Lakes Marion and Moultrie (S.C.)
June 1-2 Cooper River into Charleston, S.C.

You can read more about the 2009 Brevard College VOR Expedition at www.brevard.edu/VOR, but all I can say is, “I’m extremely jealous” – this should be a sweet trip! I have already marked my calendar, and plan on meeting them on their arrival – maybe they’ll ping me on Twitter @ShemCreek when they’re heading in!

BC VOR Homepage: www.brevard.edu/VOR
Blog: http://vor2009.blogspot.com/2009/05/meet-vor-2009-team-members.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brevard-NC/Brevard-College-VOR-2009/59723056375?v=wall&viewas=1269109701

Wendy Jones
Director of Communications and Media Relations
Brevard College
One Brevard College Drive
Brevard, NC 28712
828.884.8338
www.brevard.edu
joneswe@brevard.edu

From the Shem Creek blog.

Paddle to the Sea: a kayak journey through the Carolina’s

Like every other spring, manatees begin their slow migration up the coast since our water temperatures rise into the upper 60s. This timeframe may be shifted a little going forward due to global warming’s effect on ocean temperatures, so be aware of updates.

SCDNR has several tidbits of information about manatees on their website, and if you do happen to spot one, they encourage you to file a report on their Manatees in South Carolina web page.

Here are some other ways we can help protect manatees:

1. Look around for manatees before cranking your boat’s motor.
2. Never pursue, harass or play with manatees. It is bad for the manatees and is illegal.
3. Please heed “slow speed,” “no wake” and manatee warning signs, especially around docks.
4. Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare, making it easier to spot manatees below the surface.
5. Watch for large swirls in the water called footprints that may be caused by manatees diving away from the boat.
6. Use caution when navigating in shallow water and along the edge of a marsh. Manatees cannot dive away from boats in these areas.
7. Dock owners should never feed manatees or give them fresh water. This could teach the animals to approach docks, putting them at greater risk of a boat strike, and it is illegal.

UPDATE 7/20/10: Here’s a short video Dr. Ryan T Kendall shot of some manatees swimming by the boat right here in Shem Creek this past spring:

And like clockwork, manatees have been spotted in Shem Creek again; just yesterday:

“We have seen a lot of manatees inside the creek, out in the harbor, on the backside of Crab Bank Island, they do a lot of feeding back there” – Ryan Sechrist, Nature Adventures Outfitters kayak guide.

But like dolphins, manatees shouldn’t be approached by humans, whether for feeding, petting, or otherwise (unless you’re at Sea World).

“The numbers have been declining relatively. You see their backs and almost all of them are scarred by boat interactions, so the more they see humans not associated with food and comfort, the better it is for their survival,” – Dr. Shane Boylan explained, a SC Aquarium veterinarian.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Spring time means it’s manatee season off SC’s coast

“The recreational and aesthetic value of wetland areas also helps the states tourism industry.”

“Although wetlands serve as a vital link between land and water, they are historically misunderstood and under appreciated,” said Preston. “In the past, they were often used as dump sites and, unfortunately, appeared to be of value only when drained and developed.

“However, wetlands are starting to gain recognition as some of the most productive natural areas in the world,” Preston said. “DHEC is pleased to join Gov. Sanford and the citizens of South Carolina in celebrating May as Wetlands Month.”

“The goal of this months celebration of South Carolina’s abundant wetlands, which coincides with American Wetlands Month, is to educate and involve the public in local activities,” she said. “DHEC has information emphasizing the importance of wetlands and wetland activities, which is available to civic groups, school groups and individuals.”

For more information about the state’s wetlands, visit DHEC’s Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/401.html

From the Shem Creek blog.

May is “South Carolina Wetlands Month”

A homeowner’s guide to living with bears has been published by DNR, offering handy tips for peacefully co-existing with black bears. Authored by Ruth, “A Homeowner’s Guide: Living with Bears” offers common-sense advice to homeowners that will help them avoid unpleasant encounters with the black bear. The bear brochure also details some interesting natural history information on this often-feared and frequently misunderstood wildlife species.

To obtain a copy of the homeowner’s guide to living with bears brochure, visit the DNR offices in Clemson, Georgetown or Florence, or call the Columbia DNR office at (803) 734-3886.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Beware of black bears roaming from Myrtle Beach fires

The annual trip is swapped between the East and West coast and will kickoff a week from today up in N.H., but they won’t be stopping here in Charleston, or any other city in S.C.

Here’s NOAA’s Atlantic Coast Hurricane Awareness Tour Schedule:

From the Shem Creek blog.

NOAA more worried about hurricanes in N.H. and N.Y. than S.C.

1. #04 – Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course
2. #13 – Hilton Head Island’s Harbour Town Golf Links
3. #22 – Hilton Head Island’s May River Golf Club at Palmetto Bluff
4. #33 – Pawley’s Island’s The Heritage Club
5. #38 – Myrtle Beach’s Dunes Golf & Beach Club
6. #41 – N. Myrtle Beach’s Tidewater Golf Course & Plantation
7. #48 – Kiawah Island’s Turtle Point
8. #66 – Pawley’s Island’s Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
9. #77 – Myrtle Beach’s The Resort Club at Grande Dunes
10. #96 – N. Myrtle Beach’s Barefoot Resort & Golf Club Fazio Layout
11. #99 – N. Myrtle Beach’s Barefoot Resort & Golf Club Dye Course

You can see those and more listed at GolfDigest.com.

From the Shem Creek blog.

America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses 2009

Atlanta is the target of a new advertising and public relations campaign just launched by the SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, the state’s official tourism marketing arm.

S.C. Next Door (www.SCNextDoor.com) is the theme of the campaign that includes radio, print, online advertising, a customized landing page and public relations outreach to the diverse range of Atlanta media. The landing page features the song “Sweet Tea” by Cravin’ Melon and includes links to general tourism information as well as specialty sites focusing on golf, beaches, dining and state parks across South Carolina.

Downloadable ring tones and video tours also are offered, as are computer desktop images of South Carolina’s mountains and beaches and e-newsletters about destinations and deals for tourists. A distance estimator, measured in numbers of gas tanks required to reach South Carolina, also is included.

“The proximity of South Carolina’s destinations to the Atlanta area is an added value at a time when consumers must maximize every dollar they spend on their vacation experience. Atlanta residents can easily access South Carolina’s mountains, beaches, lakes and towns, spending less money and more time enjoying their break from home.” – SCPRT Director Chad Prosser.

This year’s promotion in Atlanta, the nation’s ninth-largest market, follows the state tourism agency’s successful Chicago promotion last year. That campaign – the recent winner of national awards from Google and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) – focused on South Carolina as an escape from cold Chicago winters. The Atlanta campaign focuses on the proximity of all South Carolina has to offer the big metro market of about 3.6 million people, including the more than 1 million households that have incomes of $50,000 or more.

The S.C. Next Door campaign was created by SCPRT in partnership with its two ad agencies – Rawle Murdy Associates Inc. of Charleston, the bounce agency of Greenville, and Web specialist Aristotle Inc. of Little Rock, Ark.

From the Shem Creek blog.

SC tourism reaches next door